vintage versus modern speakers

The $20,000 number might have come from me as I don't see it in the OP posts at all. As for foam surrounds, Paradigm still used them in their Performance line well into the 90's. I'm not sure when Boston Acoustics moved away from them, but their whole A series used them.

There's no reason older speakers can't evolve and be updated with new technologies to make them even better. I'll put my 80's Infinity speakers with new diaphragms from Apogee and a new crossover (from me) up against any of the new speakers you care to throw at them. Anyone from the NJ area who is curious can drop me a PM and stop by for a listen to see for themselves.

Technology has definitely advanced, but it doesn't mean that the end product is truly better or more effective. The B-52 Stratofortress has been in military service for 60 years and the Air Force has plans to extend its use to 2040. It's been extensively reworked since its introduction, but apparently it still works well enough to get the job done. The B-52's cost $70 million per plane while its "replacement", the B-2, costs $900 million. If the latest high tech loudspeakers are the equivalent of the B-2, then what vintage loudspeaker is a stand-in for the B-52?

I've heard of some apples to oranges comparison before, but that takes the cake,

Aren't you the person who was bringing all that insight about Chevy Vegas?